Operable wall panel

ABSTRACT

An operable wall panel has a header that is spring biased toward the ceiling, spaced latches along one side that are extendable through slots in the stile to lock to pins in an adjacent panel, and a roller in a ceiling track. The panel is raised and lowered along a rod that extends from the roller and through a horizontal bar below the header. One end of such bar is pivoted to the panel and its other end is linked to a vertical side bar that operates the latches. The horizontal bar is also coupled to the header. The side bar is raised and lowered by a cam in the preferred embodiment. When the side bar is lowered, the header is retracted from the ceiling, the latches are retracted into the panel, and the horizontal bar bottoms against the lower end of the rod to facilitate upward movement of the panel so that its lower end clears the floor. When the side bar is raised, the panel settles to the floor, the header is freed to move against the ceiling, and the latches are extended for latching engagement with an adjacent panel. At the upper end of the panel is a pin that is normally biased into the track to keep the panel from rotating while it is being moved along the track, but which is retractable to permit the panel to be swiveled on the rod so as to facilitate face-to-face stacking of panels at one end of the track when the panels are not in use.

United States Patent [151 3,685,223 I4 1 Aug. 22, 1972 Sherwood [s41 OPERABLE WALL PANEL [72] Inventor: John C. Sherwood, La Crescenta,

Calif.

[73] Assignee: Sher Walls, Inc., Santa Fe Springs,

Calif.

[22] Filed: Sept. 28, 1970 Appl. No.: 75,990

US. Cl ..52/64, 49/127 Primary ExaminerJohn E. Murtagh Attorney-Perry E. Turner 1571, ABSTRACT An operable wall panel has a header that is spring biased toward the ceiling, spaced latchesv along one side that are extendable through slots inthe stile to lock to pins in an adjacent panel, and a roller in a ceiling track. The panel is raised and lowered along a rod that extends from the roller and through a horizontal bar below the header. One end of such bar is pivoted to the panel and its other end is linked to a vertical side bar that operates the latches. The horizontal bar is also coupled to the, header. The side bar is raised and lowered by a cam in the preferred embodiment. When the side bar is lowered, the header is retracted from the ceiling, the latches are retracted into the panel, and the horizontal bar bottoms against the lower end of the rod to facilitate upward movement of the panel so that its lower end clears the floor. When the side bar is raised, the panel settles to the floor, the header is freed to move against the ceiling, and the latches are extended for latching engagement with an adjacent panel. At the upper end of the panel is a .pin that is normally biased into the track to keep the panel from rotating while it is being moved along the track, but which is retractable to permit the panel to be swiveled on the rod so as to facilitate face-to-face stacking of panels at one end of the track when the panels are not in use.

15 Claim, 13 Drawing Figures OPERABLE WALL PANEL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to movable wall partitions of the type adapted to be set up side by side to form floor to ceiling wall sections.

2. Description of the Prior Art In hotels, convention halls, schools and the like, it is I should provide as effective an acoustical barrier as a permanent wall.

Movable partitions for thispurpose are necessarily of substantial size and weight, and means have heretofore been devised to minimize the labor required to move them into place. For example, panels have been constructed with rollers on their lower ends which run in tracks in the floor. In such arrangements, workers must support each panel in an upright position while moving it along the track to the desired position, following which a header at the upper end of the panel is forced upwardly against the ceiling, as by operating mechanism within the panel to which the header is attached. Typically, an opening is provided in the face of the panel to receive a crank for operating the header control mechanism. In other arrangements, means in the panel are provided to retract the wheels upwardly to permit the bottom of the panel to seat on the floor.

There are a number of drawbacks to these arrangements, including the accumulation of dirt and obstacles in the track which impede the desired movement of the panels along thetrack and desired seating of the lower ends of the panels on the floor. Also, where the edges of adjacent panels are merely butted together, variations in the contour of the floor make it impossible to maintain adjacent panels in face-to-face abutting relation along their lengths.

It is also known to mount such panels from an overhead track, as by rollers at the edges of the upper end of each panel. In such arrangements, resilient strips extend from the lower ends of the panels to engage the floor. These arrangements also suffer the disadvantage that they do not provide adequate acoustical sealing on uneven floors. Moreover, such arrangements constitute tremendous loads on the overhead track and the supporting ceiling structure, which cause deflection in these structures and often prevents the desired positioning and joinder of adjacent panels, and which necessitates expensive general construction of supporting superstructures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION header at the upper end of such panel, and means for simultaneously operating the header and panel control means to effect simultaneous sealing with the overhead track and the floor when the panel is lowered, and to free the header from contact with thetrack when the panel is raised. Also embraced are edge locking and sealing means by which adjacent panels are automatically drawn together in sealing engagement when the mechanism in the panel is actuated to lower the panel. This invention permits a number of wall panels to be supported from an overhead track which is incapable of supporting the combined weights of such panels, and thereby avoids the necessity for building a massive supporting structure of the type heretofore required for overhead pendent panels. Firm sealing engagement with the floor and ceiling is assured despite uneveness in floors, as is continuous edge sealing of abutting panels along their lengths.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a view in elevation of a number of panels of the invention being positioned to form a wall section;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the panels of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a panel in position on the floor with its header sealingly engaging the overhead track, with latching elements extending into and locked to an adjacent panel, and wherein a panel face is removed to show the elements for operating the panel, header and latches;

FIG. 4 is a view like FIG. 3, showing the positions of the parts immediately upon the panel setting on the floor and before the header movement and locking actions;

FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 3, showing the positions of the parts wherein the panel is lifted clear of the floor;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6a is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the region indicated at 6a in FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view of the cam arrangement;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line l010 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged side elevation view of the end portion of one of the latch elements, showing the element shaped to exert locking force on pins contacted at different points on the element; and

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary front elevation view of adjacent interlocked panels of a wall section to aid in explaining the manner in which the panels are locked in sealing engagement despite unevenness of the floor surface on which they are lowered.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a plurality of operable wall panels 10 of the invention carried by an overhead track 12. It is preferred that the bottom of the track 12 be at the level of the acoustical ceiling typically employed in modern structures, and is suitably secured, as by straps 14, to the permanent ceiling 16. Each of the panels 10 has the same mechanism located therein, and the parts of such mechanism are so located that individual panels may be provided with windows and doors as indicated at 18, in two of the panels in FIG. 1.

In the illustrated arrangement, the panels 10 when not in use are stored at the ends of the track 12. To facilitate face-to-face stacking of the panels, each is adapted to be swiveled on the track, and to this end each is suspended from a centrally disposed track roller 22. When it is desired to form a wall section, the panels are successively moved outwardly from the track and swiveled (clockwise as indicated in FIG. 2) to bring their upper ends parallel to the track. By means hereinafter to be explained, each panel is provided with a retractable pin 24 which is adapted to enter the track and prevent the panel from turning as it is moved to the desired position.

Each panel is provided with a header 28 which is adapted to be moved into sealing engagement with the track 12. As the panel is moved along the track, its lower end is clear of the floor, indicated at 30 in FIG. 1, and the header 28 is clear of the track. When the panel reaches the desired position, the mechanism therein is operated to lower the panel onto the floor and to raise the header into sealing engagement with the track. Simultaneously, locking or latching elements 34 in the panel extend into the adjacent panel and lock the panels together in sealing engagement along their lengths.

Operation of the mechanism within a panel is effected through an opening in one of its faces, as indicated at 36 in FIG. 1. Such opening is adapted to receive a tool for operating a large cam 40 (see FIGS.

3-5) which is rotatably mounted at 42 on a stationary strap 44. The strap 44 is shown secured to a block 46 forming part of the panel, but may if desired be secured to or otherwise made integral with the stile at the left edge of the panel.

As best seen in FIG. 10, the cam bushing has a noncircular opening to matingly receive the end of a crank pin (not shown) inserted through the opening 36 in the face of the panel. By rotating the cam with such a tool, a vertical bar 50 is raised and lowered. At its upper end, the bar 50 is pivotally linked at 52 to one end of a generally horizontal bar 54. At its other end, the bar 54 is pivoted on a pin 56 that is secured to the panel, e.g., as on the lower end of a short block 58 that is integral with a stationary cross beam or brace 60 that spans the width of the panel. Thus, vertical movement of the bar 50 causes the left end of the bar 54 to be raised and lowered as it pivots on the pin 56.

In the arrangement shown, the bar 54 and cross beam 60 have aligned openings intermediate their ends through which a rod 62 slidably extends. The upper end of the rod 62 is attached to the roller 22. A nut 64 is threaded onto the lower end of the rod 62, and a compression spring 66 is located between the nut 64 and the bar 54. The spring 66 is a relatively strong spring of only a few turns, and functions as a buffer to prevent damage to the bar 54. To prevent the bar 54 from directly engaging the spring 66, a washer 68 may be welded or otherwise secured to the bar 54. As will be seen from the following description of the operation of the bars 50, 54, the panel is lowered to the floor by moving the bars upwardly, and is raised from the floor by moving the bars downwardly.

FIG. 3 shows the panel with its lower end resting on the floor, and FIG. 5 shows the panel with its lower end raised from the floor. In FIG. 3, the bars 50, 54 are raised to their uppermost positions, and the washer 68 is clear of the upper end of the spring 66. As the bars 50, 54 are lowered, the spring 66 is compressed by the bar 54, and further downward movement causes an upward force to be transmitted through the pin 56 and block 58 to thecross beam 60. Such upward force effects upward movement of the panel along the rod 62.

The extent to which the panel is lifted from the floor is determined bythe position of the nut 64 on the rod 62. The higher the nut is threaded onto the rod, the greater is the clearance of the lower end of the panel from the floor in the lowermost positions of the bars 50, 54.

The construction and operation of the cam means for controllably raising and lowering the bar 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 along with FIGS. 3-5. The lower end of the bar 50 is bifurcated and its braches straddle the cam 40. Below the cam is a roller bearing that is rotatable on a pin 82 that is staked at its ends in the branches. The rim of the cam rides against the bearing 80 so that when the cam is turned in one direction to increase the radial distance between the bushing 42 and roller 80, the roller 80 is cammed downwardly, thereby causing the bar 50 to be lowered. When the cam is rotated in the opposite direction wherein such radial distance decreases, the roller 80 follows the cam contour and the bar 50 is raised until the panel sets on the floor.

Thereafter, further upward movement of the bar 50 is effected by utilizing a flange or lip extending from the face of the cam. In the arrangement shown, the front face of the cam adjacent the lip 83 is provided with depressions 84, and the front branch of the bifurcated end of the bar 50 supports a pin 86 (FIG. 10) that is slidable in a plug 88 threaded into the front portion of the lower end of the rod 50, and which is continually biased against the cam face by a compression spring 92 in the plug 88. When the cam 40 is turned, the pin 86 is cammed into and out of each depression while following the. rim 83.

FIG. 10 also illustrates means to prevent the ratchet pin 86 from moving the cam laterally. For this purpose, a portion 94 is secured to the back leg of the split end of the bar 50, and a bolt 96 is threaded through the sleeve to engage the back surface of the cam 40. A nut 9.8 is threaded onto the outer end of the bolt and against the outer end of the sleeve 94 to hold the bolt 96 firmly against the back surface of the cam. If desired, the back surface of the cam may also be flanged, and the bolt 96 adapted to ride thereon, to aid the similar action of the pin 86 for raising the bar 50.

Operation of the cam 40 and bars 50, 54 also effects movement of the header 28 into and out of sealing engagement with the track 12. In this connection, the header 28 is essentially formed of a channel-shaped cap over the upper end of the panel 10, and which is vertically slidable thereon. The header 28 is biased upwardly, and to this end there is shown spaced brackets 102 that are secured to the panel, as to posts 104 which extend upwardly from the cross beam 60. The brackets 102 slidably support rods 106 which are fastened at their upper ends to the web of the header. Springs 108 are positioned on the rods 106 and compressed between the upper ends of the brackets 102 and the web of the header.

Also secured to the web of the header is a rod 110, the lower end of which is pivotally linked at 112 to end of a bar 1 14 that is pivoted at 1 16 to the cross beam 60. The bar 114 is linked to the bar 54, and to this end a link element 120 has its lower end secured to the bar 54 and its upper end slidable against the bar 114. In the uppermost position of the bar 54, the upper end of the link 120 is clear of engagement with the bar 114, and the springs 108 move the header 28 against the bottom of the track 12.

In this latter connection, and referring to FIGS. 6 and 6a, the web of the header is provided with spaced grooves 122 in which sealing strips124 are anchored. The upward thrust of the springs 108 is sufficient to cause the strips 124 to be pressed firmly against the bottom of the track 12.

When the bar 54 is moved to its lower position (FIG. 5), the upper end of the link 120 engages the bar 114 and pivots it downwardly. The rod 110 is accordingly pulled down, whereby the header 128 and the sealing strips 124 thereon are moved downwardly and clear of the track. The springs 108 are of course compressed, and are thereby conditioned so that upon upward movement of the bar 54 and link 120, the link 114 is pivoted upwardly and the rods 110, 106 are thrust upwardly to permit the strips 124 on the header to be brought into engagement with the bottom of the track 12.

Again comparing FIGS. 3 and 5, it will be noted that the link 120 engages the bar 114 at a point spaced on its pivot 116 so that slight downward movement of the link 120 effects a substantial downward movement of the end of the bar 114 and the rod 110. Thus, a substantial mechanical advantage is obtained wherein slight movement of the bar 54 effects a substantially greater vertical movement of the header. In one construction, the links of the associated elements are such that when the bars 50, 54 are in their lowermost positions (FIG. 5), the lower end of the panel is spaced approximately l.5 in. from the floor and the web of the header is spaced 1.0 in. from the bottom of the track 12. When the cam is operated to raise the bars 50, 54, the link 120 releases the bar 114 during the initial portion of the upward travel of the bar 54, whereby the header is allowed to engage the track before the panel is firmly seated against the floor.

It should be noted that since the panel is carried on a single suspension, i.e., the roller 22, the panel could cock or walk, and vibrate as it is moved along the track, and thereby create undesired stresses in the track. However, the buffer spring acts as a cushion to prevent such results, and permits the panel to move smoothly along the track.

Additional means prevent the header from striking the track as the panel is moved along the track to a desired position. As shown in FIGS. 3-5, spaced bumper casters 130 are mounted on the upper ends of the posts 104 and extend through openings in the header. The casters 130 are positioned so that when the panel is raised from the floor and the header is clear of the track, the tops of the casters extend above the header and are spaced from the track. The casters are positioned along the center line of the header, i.e., between the sealing strips 124 thereon. Accordingly, should the panel be cocked while it is being moved along the track to the desired position, the casters bump against the track and prevent the header from striking the track. When the panel is in the desired position and the control mechanism is operated to lower the panel onto the floor and to release the header for upward movement, the upper surface of the header moves above the tops of the casters and sealingly engages the bottom of the track.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the preferred arrangement of the track 12 and roller 22. As shown, the track is an inverted U-shaped element having its lips turned inwardly to provide coplanar rails, and the roller has spaced wheels 136 which roll on the rails. As shown, the wheels 136 are mounted on the ends of a pin 138, which also extends through a hub element 140 located between the wheels. A part of the body of the element 140 is located between the confronting edges of the rails, and the upper end of the rod 62 is secured to the lower end of the body. The element 140 also carries rollers 142 which are located between the edges of the rails and are rotatable on vertical axes, as on vertical pins 144 that are staked at their ends into spaced portions of the body. The wheels 136 and rollers 142 cooperate to effect movement of a raised panel along the track with a minimum of friction.

As previously mentioned, the latches 34 are utilized for locking adjacent panels together. As best seen in FIGS. 3-5, the latches are elongated elements which are pivotally supported intermediate their ends at 150, and which have their inner endslocated between a pair of vertically spaced pins 152, 154. The outer ends of the latches extend through openings 156 in the stile 158 at the edge of the panel. Inwardly of the edge of the adjacent panel are fixed transverse pins 160 to be engaged by the outer ends of the latches 34. The pins 160 may, as indicated, be secured in the side walls of housings 162 which have open ends facing the panel edge, and which may be secured to the stile 164.

When a panel is raised (FIG. 5), i.e., with the bar 50 in its lowermost position, the upper pins 152 hold the latches 34 so that their outer ends are above the pins 160. When such a panel is moved into edge abutment with a panel that is seated on the floor, the outer ends of the latches enter the housings 162. When the cam 40 is operated to raise the bar 50, the lower pins 154 engage the inner ends of the latches 34 and pivot them downwardly so that their latching ends engage the pins 160. Further, and referring to FIG. 11 along with FIGS. 3-5, the latching ends of the elements 34 are contoured so as to contact the pins 160 shortly before the upward travel of the bar 50 is completed, so as to force the pins and latches towards each other in the last portion of the travel of the bar 50. This action'insures that the panels are drawn tightly together and are firmly sealed along their lengths.

In this latter connection, and referring to FIG. 8, the A stile 158 is shown with grooves in its web in which resilient sealing strips 168 are locked. When the panels are drawn together in the manner above explained, the strips are compressed between the faces of the stiles 158, 164 and effect a firm seal along the lengths of the panels. It should be noted that the latches 34 and the nnnn an aligned openings through which they extend in the stiles are located in the portions of the webs of the stiles between the sealing strips 168.

As previously indicated, the pin 24 is extendible into the track to prevent the panel from turning as it is moved along the track, and is retractable to permit the panel to be swiveled. As shown in FIGS. 3-5, a U- shaped bracket 180 is secured to the left post 104, and a rod 182 is slidably disposed in the bracket. The pin 24 is an integral extension of the rod 182. Between the legs of the bracket, a compression spring 184 surrounds the rod 182 and is compressed between the lower leg of the bracket 180 and a flange on the rod 182 that is normally biased against the upper leg of the bracket. Connected to the lower end of the rod 182 is a wire 186 which extends downwardly and through the back of a cup-like element 188 that is secured to the stile 158. The lower end of the wire is connected to a ring 190.

With the above-described arrangement, the pin 24 is normally biased upwardly so that it is located between the edges of the rails. Thus, any tendency of the panel to turn as it is moved along the rail is prevented.

When it is desired to swivel the panel, one grasps the ring 190 and pulls it down, whereby the rod 182 is pulled down against the spring 184 until the upper end of the pin 24 clears the bottom of the track. This is done, of course, only when the panel is raised clear of the floor, and the header 28 is free of the track. It is then a simple matter to swivel the panel on .the rod 62. In this regard, the upper end of the rod 62 may be threaded into the lower end of the body portion of the roller 22. In such an arrangement, turning the panel at 90 to the track is accompanied by a 90 turn of the rod 62. Any other suitable means may be employed to permit such swivel movement of the panel, tag, the rod 62 may be in two parts connected by a universal joint.

The previously described mechanism for raising and lowering the panel is adequate to controllably operate panels of substantial size and weight. In one example, a panel approximately feet high and 4 feet wide employs a bar 54 approximately 3 feet long that is positioned approximately 7 feet above the bottom of the panel, and a vertical side bar 50 approximately 6 feet in length. The weight of such panel and the parts therein is approximately 300 pounds. In such example, the cam 40 is of sufficient size to subject the bar 50 to approximately a 4-in. travel. However, the midportion of the bar 54 moves approximately half that distance between its uppermost and lowermost positions.

' As will be appreciated, a substantial force is required to turn the cam 40 in this example. While the parts are arranged so that the weight of the panel is effectively evenly distributed at the ends of the bar 54, it may be desired to employ spring aids to minimize the force required to turn the cam and operate the linkages. In this connection, a tension spring 192 is shown con- L nected between the cross beam 60 and a washer 194 on the upper portion of the rod 62. A nut 196 is threaded on the rod below the washer 194 for adjustably positioning the upper end of the spring 192. A further tension spring 198 is shown connected between the lower end of the bar 50 and the bottom crosspiece 47 (or the lower end of the post 46 thereon). The spring 192 provides a lifting force which assists the upward movement of the panel which the two bar linkage 50, 54 is lowered, i.e., to raise the panel from the floor. When such linkage is raised, the spring 198 is extended, and serves to provide a restraining force to prevent such sudden upward movement of the linkage as would cause the panel to impact against the floor too sharply.

It is desired that when the panel is in the raised position, the parts are locked in the positions shown in FIG. 5. In the illustrated arrangement, such locking is facilitated by making the last or outermost depression in the face of the cam 40 somewhat deeper than the other depressions 84. In FIG. 10, such deeper depres' sion is indicated at 200. The pin 86 is cammcd out of the depression 200 in the same manner as it is moved out of the depressions 84. However, a substantially greater force isrequired to move the pin out of the depression 200, Le, the depression 200 is sufficiently deep as to insure that the parts will be held in the positions shown in FIG. 5 until such greater force is applied.

FIGS. Hand 12 are referred to to explain the utility of the invention for sealingly securing adjacent panels along their edges when their lower ends are seated on uneven portions of the floor. In FIG. 12, the lower end of the right-hand panel is on a portion of the floor that is lower than that on which the adjacent panel is seated. Referring to FIG. 5 along with FIGS. 11 and 12, this means that when a raised panel is moved toward edge abutment with an adjacent panel, the latches 34 will engage the pins nearer the ends of the latching fingers than in the situation where the portions of the floor on which the adjacent panels are to be seated are even. However, the fingers are long enough and are contoured so that the desired pull-in forces are exerted even though the vertical distance between the pins and pivot axes of the latches varies considerably, e.g., up to 0.75 in. Thus, the sealing strips carried by the stile 158 (FIG. 8) firmly and sealingly engage the face of the stile 164 along its length even though the adjacent panels are on portions of the floor that are significantly uneven.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the panel has a rigid framework formed by the base 47, the cross beam 60, and the stiles 158, 164-secured to the ends thereof. Face panels, indicated at 202, 204 in FIG. 8, are secured to the stiles, and to this end the stiles may be formed as conventional aluminum extrusions having edge grooves to receive the edges of the face panels. Such an arrangement permits the panel to be made as a hollow core structure of minimum weight, and to this end the space between the face panels is filled with suitable lightweight honeycomb core material. Also, such material may be arranged to permit conventional insulation material to be placed between the face panels. Therefore, a wall section formed of a plurality of such panels is one which assures optimum acoustical barriers between spaces on the opposite sides of the wall section.

As above noted, operable wall panels made in accordance with the invention may be of substantial size and weight. In the example previously given, it is apparent that in forming a wall section of a plurality of such panels, the track 12 and the ceiling to which it is secured would-be unduly stressed by moving all of the panels to the desired positions before lowering them. For example, it may be desired to form a wall section of 2O panels each weighing 300 pounds. The strength of the track may be such that building codes will not permit a load greater than 1,000 pounds to be placed on it. By means of this invention, however, a wall section weighing 6,000 pounds can easily be accommodated. It is only necessary to move no more than three panels along the track at once. In fact, only one panel at a time need be moved along the track and positioned on the floor before moving the next panel, and in such case the track is never subjected to a load greater than 300 pounds.

Operable wall panels made in accordance with the invention are ideally suited to form a permanent wall. For either a temporary or permanent wall, the latches may be eliminated from the panel at one end so as to permit the sealing strips at that edge to engage the wall with which the wall section of the invention is to be joined. Or the walls between which a wall section of the invention extends may be provided with vertical channels or sofits into which the edges of the panels at the ends of the wall section extend.

Operable wall panels in accordance with this invention are also adapted for uses which are not possible with panels heretofore known. For example, the single suspension feature of this invention permits the panels to be seated on a floor in a swiveled position and at any desired angle to the track. Thus, a solid wall can be formed to separate a large room into two smaller rooms for separate meetings, e.g., two school rooms. When it is desired to permit students on both sides of the wall to hear a lecture by a teacher on one side, the panels can quickly be individually raised, swiveled to the desired angle, and then lowered to the floor. The pins 24 in such case may be provided with suitable means to keep them retracted.

This invention embraces other means suitable to perform the functions of the parts described herein. For example, a line and capstan may be used in lieu of the side bar and cam, wherein the lower end of the line is attached to a capstan which is rotated by an external crank to shorten and lengthen the line for lowering and raising the free end of the bar 54. Such a capstan may be held in any position via a toothed ratchet wheel which can be released to permit reverse rotation of the capstan. Other latch means are also embraced by this invention, as well as other means for raising and lowering the header. For example, latches may be employed which have toggle means for tripping them to snap into and out of their locking positions. The header may be operable directly from the bar 50 or itsequivalent, as via gear means. Also, the operable panel lends itself to use without a movable header. In this regard, the upper end of the suspended panel may be inserted in a soffit that extends below the track, so that the upper end of the panel is not exposed in either its raised or lowered positions.

As will now be seen, operable wall panels of this invention avoid the necessity of a perfectly horizontal track in order to insure edge to edge abutment of adjacent panels along their lengths. in known overhead track walls, the track is calculated to deflect to the horizontal when loaded. But settling of the building results in the track varying considerably from the horizontal. This factor, together with naturally existing uneven floor conditions, prevents adjacent panels from being properly sealed together. in fact, such conditions occasionally are so severe that the panels either cannot be moved at all or can be moved only by shoving them with considerable force. Panels of this invention, however, are easily moved and operated to be sealingly engaged with the floor, the track, and adjacent panels, despite such factors.

I claim:

1. In combination:

an upright panel;

a track disposed above the panel;

roller means on the track;

a vertical rod attached to said roller means,

said rod extending into the top of said panel; 7 and means in said panel for effecting limited vertical movement thereof on said rod, including means for holding said panel in an upper position wherein the lower end is clear of the floor and for releasing said panel to permit its lower end to set on the floor, including an elongated element pivoted at one end to said panel, an intermediate portion of said element bearing against the lower end of said rod in a lowermost position of the free end of said element to force said panel to its upper position, and being in substantial non-bearing engagement with the lower end of said rod in an uppermost position of the free end of said element to free said panel to set on the floor; and said holding means being operable to move the free end of said element between its lowermost and uppermost positions.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said panel has a rigid framework including an elongated base,

a horizontal beam a substantial distance from and coextensive with said base,

and respective stiles extending between and secured to the ends of said base and beam;

and wherein said elongated element is pivotally mounted on said framework adjacent said beam.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein said stiles extend above said beam;

a header vertically slidable on the upper ends of said stiles;

means normally biasing said header toward engagemerit with the bottom of said track;

and header control means operable by said panel holding and releasing means to retract said header against said biasing means and clear of the bottom of said track, and to release said header to permit said biasing means to move said header against said track, I

said header control means retracting said header when said base is clear of the floor, and releasing said header to engage the track when said base is lowered to the floor.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein said header control means is coupled to and operable with said elongated element.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein said holding and releasing means includes a vertical element connected to the free end of said elongated element;

and means for operating said vertical element to pivot said elongated element and move its free end between its lowermost and uppermost positions.

6. The combination of claim 3, wherein said vertical element is a bar;

and cam means rotatably supported by said panel,

a portion of said bar engaged by said cam means and movable thereby to raise and lower said bar.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein said panel has an elongated base, a horizontal brace spaced vertically from and coextensive with said base, and respective stiles extending between and secured to the ends of said base and brace,

said elongated element being located below said brace,

said rod slidably extending through said brace and said elongated element,

the portion of said rod below said elongated element being threaded;

a compression spring on the lower end of said rod;

and a nut threaded onto the lower end of said rod for adjustably positioning said spring.

8. The combination of claim 7, wherein said stiles extend above said brace;

an inverted U-shaped header extending between the upper ends of said stiles, said header being vertically slidable; spring biasing means supported by said framework above said brace for normally biasing said header toward said track; means operable upon downward pivotal movement of said elongated element to pull said header down to a position clear of said track,

said header operating means being operable upon upward pivotal movement of said elongated element to permit said biasing means to force said header into engagement with said track.

9. The combination of claim 8, including a bar pivoted on said brace with its other end extending above said brace;

a vertical rod secured at its upper end to said header and pivotally linked at its lower end to the other end of said bar;

and a rod link attached to said elongated element and slidable against said pivoted bar, said rod link being adapted to capture and force said pivoted bar downwardly upon downward pivotal movement of said elongated element, said rod link being moved to free said pivoted bar for upward movement upon upward pivotal movement of said elongated element. 10. The combination of claim 9, furtherincluding spaced latch elements pivotally mounted to said framework adjacent one stile,

said one stile having openings through which said latch elements are extendable,

the other stile having openings aligned with the openings in said one stile;

spaced pins mounted to said framework transversely of and adjacent to the openings in said other stile,

said latch elements being extendable from the openings in said one stile a distance greater than the spacing of said pins from the openings in said other stile,

whereby similar latch elements in another panel may enter the openings in said other stile and lockingly engage said pins;

and means for pivoting said latch elements to unlatchin positions when said elongated element is pivote to its lowermost position, and to latching positions upon pivotal movement of said elongated element to its uppermost position.

11. The combination of claim 10, wherein said latch pivoting means includes spaced pairs of pins carried by said vertical bar,

the inner end of each latching element being located between the pins of a respective pair.

12. The combination of claim 3, wherein said panel in its raised position is adapted to be swiveled on said rod;

a pin supported by said framework and horizontally spaced from said roller;

means normally biasing said pin into said track;

and manually operable means for retracting said pin clear of said track to permit said panel in its raised position to be swiveled to a desired angle with respect to said track,

said elongated bar being movable to its uppermost position to lower said panel in any desired angular position thereof with respect to said track.

13. The combination of claim 12, further including horizontally spaced bumper elements attached to said framework,

said bumper elements being positioned below said track a distance so as to extend above said header in the retracted position thereof.

14. The combination of claim 11, including seal strips along the top surface of said header and the face of one of said stiles.

15. The combination of claim 3, wherein said track has two rails, said roller including a body located 

1. In combination: an upright panel; a track disposed above the panel; roller means on the track; a vertical rod attached to said roller means, said rod extending into the top of said panel; and means in said panel for effecting limited vertical movement thereof on said rod, including means for holding said panel in an upper position wherein the lower end is clear of the floor and for releasing said panel to permit its lower end to set on the floor, including an elongated element pivoted at one end to said panel, an intermediate portion of said element bearing against the lower end of said rod in a lowermost position of the free end of said element to force said panel to its upper position, and being in substantial non-bearing engagement with the lower end of said rod in an uppermost position of the free end of said element to free said panel to set on the floor; and said holding means being operable to move the free end of said element between its lowermost and uppermost positions.
 2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said panel has a rigid framework including an elongated base, a horizontal beam a substantial distance from and coextensive with said base, and respective stiles extending between and secured to the ends of said base and beam; and wherein said elongated element is pivotally mounted on said framework adjacent said beam.
 3. The combination of claim 2, wherein said stiles extend above said beam; a header vertically slidable on the upper ends of said stiles; means normally biasing said header toward engagement with the bottom of said track; and header control means operable by said panel holding and releasing means to retract said header against said biasing means and clear of the bottom of said track, and to release said header to permit said biasing means to move said header against said track, said header control means retracting said header when said base is clear of the floor, and releasing said header to engage the track when said base is lowered to the floor.
 4. The combination of claim 3, wherein said header control means is coupled to and operable with said elongated element.
 5. The combination of claim 1, wherein said holding and releasing means includes a vertical element connected to the free end of said elongated element; and means for operating said vertical element to pivot said elongated element and move its free end between its lowermost and uppermost positions.
 6. The combination of claim 3, wherein said vertical element is a bar; and cam means rotatably supported by said panel, a portion of said bar engaged by said cam means and movable thereby to raise and lower said bar.
 7. The combination of claim 6, wherein said panel has an elongated base, a horizontal brace spaced vertically from and coextensive with said base, and respective stiles extending between and secured to the ends of said base and brace, said elongated element being located below said brace, said rod slidably extending through said brace and said elongated element, the portion of said rod below said elongated element being threaded; a compression spring on the lower end of said rod; and a nut threaded onto the lower end of said rod for adjustably positioning said spring.
 8. The combination of claim 7, wherein said stiles exTend above said brace; an inverted U-shaped header extending between the upper ends of said stiles, said header being vertically slidable; spring biasing means supported by said framework above said brace for normally biasing said header toward said track; means operable upon downward pivotal movement of said elongated element to pull said header down to a position clear of said track, said header operating means being operable upon upward pivotal movement of said elongated element to permit said biasing means to force said header into engagement with said track.
 9. The combination of claim 8, including a bar pivoted on said brace with its other end extending above said brace; a vertical rod secured at its upper end to said header and pivotally linked at its lower end to the other end of said bar; and a rod link attached to said elongated element and slidable against said pivoted bar, said rod link being adapted to capture and force said pivoted bar downwardly upon downward pivotal movement of said elongated element, said rod link being moved to free said pivoted bar for upward movement upon upward pivotal movement of said elongated element.
 10. The combination of claim 9, further including spaced latch elements pivotally mounted to said framework adjacent one stile, said one stile having openings through which said latch elements are extendable, the other stile having openings aligned with the openings in said one stile; spaced pins mounted to said framework transversely of and adjacent to the openings in said other stile, said latch elements being extendable from the openings in said one stile a distance greater than the spacing of said pins from the openings in said other stile, whereby similar latch elements in another panel may enter the openings in said other stile and lockingly engage said pins; and means for pivoting said latch elements to unlatching positions when said elongated element is pivoted to its lowermost position, and to latching positions upon pivotal movement of said elongated element to its uppermost position.
 11. The combination of claim 10, wherein said latch pivoting means includes spaced pairs of pins carried by said vertical bar, the inner end of each latching element being located between the pins of a respective pair.
 12. The combination of claim 3, wherein said panel in its raised position is adapted to be swiveled on said rod; a pin supported by said framework and horizontally spaced from said roller; means normally biasing said pin into said track; and manually operable means for retracting said pin clear of said track to permit said panel in its raised position to be swiveled to a desired angle with respect to said track, said elongated bar being movable to its uppermost position to lower said panel in any desired angular position thereof with respect to said track.
 13. The combination of claim 12, further including horizontally spaced bumper elements attached to said framework, said bumper elements being positioned below said track a distance so as to extend above said header in the retracted position thereof.
 14. The combination of claim 11, including seal strips along the top surface of said header and the face of one of said stiles.
 15. The combination of claim 3, wherein said track has two rails, said roller including a body located between said rails, said rod being secured to said body; wheels on said rails rotatably connected to said body; and rollers between said rails carried by said body. 